PS3 Motion control "messy" says EA

Jay Balmer, associate producer for EA's new skateboarding sim entitled Skate, told CVG: "If you're well-behaved with the controller, the motion control will be super cool. It won't just be steering [in Skate]; we're going to put a lot more into the motion controls than just steering," speaking of the inclusion of motion control in the PS3 version of Skate.

"But it's very messy," he goes on to say, referring to motion control as an interface.

"All of the sensors are active and all reporting information at the time, so we really have to find a way to filter what comes through on the motion controls so that everyone can have fun with them. "Like I said if you're well behaved with the controls they work great but if you're jerky or jumping around the signal becomes very messy," as Wii owners will probably have frustratingly found when toying with their new console.

They're referring to the massive amounts of information coming from the controller as you're jumping around and flailing about. They're having a hard time getting the motion control to be exactly what they want it to be because there's a lot of human error in motion going on. The people are moving around too much or in the wrong direction or whatever as they play the game and they're having trouble getting it under control.

DCRider I kind of reject the title, since in the article he says that all motion control is messy...

I think what the article was saying is that each sensor in motion control recieves signals and that the software to filter this is not up to scratch. So it's hard to make the character do what you want it to (at the developer stage)

Anyway we do know the ps3 sixaxis isn't as good as the wii controllers...but still...

I don't see how its taken out-out-context at all. he's pretty much saying you have to sit there as still as possible with the controller for it to be an enjoyable experience. In the marketing for the wii and sixaxis it's all about being interactive and moving around, and now publishers are saying you have to "well-behaved" what does that even mean?

It means that you can't be moving the controller around spastically as you try to do other things in the game. You have to remain conscious of where the controller is and how it's being moved at all times.

"Like I said if you're well behaved with the controls they work great but if you're jerky or jumping around the signal becomes very messy," as Wii owners will probably have frustratingly found when toying with their new console. We know we have.

Motion sensing is a really good feature, (Why is nintendo basing their entire current gen on it?). I wont suggest any more uses than the ones we've heard (see deepbrowns post below).

All controller features are just there to add to the immersiveness of games. With rumble the uses are often obvious with motion sensing however it is more arbitrary. Its down to the developers on how you use it and if it works. On saying that though I think its likely that poor implementations will come out if the motion sensing is used just for the sake of it. If a good implementation can't be done then leave it out.

It's alright. I don't think there should be a big rucous if the article is read. I do like how army of two might be implementing the sixaxis - natural shaking in focusing on a target so you have to keep still to get a good shot. Also hoping for some stuff in MGS with cracking necks...come on you can feel doing it would be satisfying - even more with a rumble on the break....

i think the wii has went the right way about doing it. Either go no holds barred or dont. like i never listen to anythin ea says. but i would think for console gaming, motion control would be quite frustrating and limiting in these type of games. dont get me wrong, i u can do whatever u like with the ps3 motion controlling. i jus think its good devs dont have to use the ps3s, and i hope microsoft wont feel pressured into bringin back something like the sidewinder.

No comment on how analog controls would be "messy" if they were cranked around in a "jerky manner"?

This is like saying if your not precise with how you tilt it the control won't be precise. LOL no $4!t Sherlock! Great detectives, EA would not make.

Well start the excuse train, EA wants to make cheap games. (As if we hadn't figured that out years ago) Oddly flOw and Blazing Angels control divinely using Sixaxis pending your not a tard. But don't worry EA I'm sure having 1000's of extra staff will help you solve the problem that others with 1/100000 of your resources have already figured out.

they just want to make games as fast as possible and make their money and finish right there. They don't take the time to refine basic mechcanics and coding. They are looking for a scapegoat for their sorry as programming.

The only games that come out looking good out of EA are the one that they just Publish and don't develop.

sure you may say current motion control technology is messy in general, doesn't change the fact that sony and nintendo used it, and the fact that it may not be ready yet, makes me question further the intelligence of those who decide to put it in their consoles?

either way, most of the people I talk to just turn it off.

If only their way some way to make the joystick vibrate when you get shot, or when you crash, that would be a cool technology to play with;)

But seriously getting tired of all the EA bashing that goes on. Look I get they do crank out titles faster than ANY other publisher. And for that we bash them cause we feel gilted that these games are sub standard and flawed. Certainly some games are...but we are our own worst enemy when it comes to EA.

We complain, complain, complain...yet we buy, buy, buy. You really want to say something...stop buying their games. Madden is worth a buy about every 3 years, otherwise its a rental for roster updates. TigerWoods golf..same. Fight Night....well this one actually was worth buying the last two times (never tried the 1st). Def Jam...again...same game with updates.

Anyway...my point is they keep drumming these out because we as consumers are telling them we like the small changes and updates. Honestly I don't' know how much more you can change Madden...and honestly...not sure I want too much to change. Just improve the AI and the presentation (please make the commentary less repetitive...see 2K sports for proper way) and I will be happy to buy...every 2-3 yrs.

And I am sorry...they don't' just put out crap. They have a ton of top selling franchises. They do come up with new IP's. Problem is they are so big and have so many current IP's that it feels like they do very little....but they do put them out...and those that succeed will see sequels. People want to hate on EA because they are the MS of the game developer world. They are the evil corp giant that dwarfs the little dev and so everyone thinks we need to stand up against them.

....I say they are good for gaming. EA is a balancing power for the console wars...they are supporting all 3 this time around and while yes that may down grade a game from its "full" potential for the PS3, 360 or PC cause its gonna be done on the PS2 or Wii too....its OK in my eyes. Why you say incredulously? Because we all can enjoy the Maddens with out having to pay for another console, etc. Sure, sure the graphics might have been just that much better had it been only for the PS3 or only for the 360 or PC....but from a "gaming" industry standpoint and not a fanboy view...its great that it comes to all of us with relative great gameplay and visuals.

As for this article...sure, the motion controlling is a tad messy...that is to be expected. For both the Wii and the PS3. Its the nature of that kind of controller. It is fun when you are doing it right...and a tad frustrating if you aren't. As long as developers implement it well enough it falls on the shoulders of the user to get it right. So it will be messy regardless. I have no issue with motion controlling...it has a niche for some games and I encourage it to be used on "some" games. Get it out of the FPS games, RTS and driving...keep it for flying and certain platformers and I think it will be just fine IMO.

These people keep taking my bubbles away for speaking comom sense, half assed Motion sensing will be a niche market.

1.1 what's your point he's not dissagreeing. lol

#10 so it has begone. I'm glad Sony did it first so MS can sit back and see what people say and not to mention this will help MS keep from being attacked by diehards that would of used this as a tool to spite MS if they would have attempted to put full games on HDD(ofcourse after the release of a bigger HDD).

why did they need to write the title of the article bashing the PS3 when the article is actually about motion control as a technology in general, for all systems. He says as much about the Wii as he does the PS3. How come there isnt an article in teh Wii section saying how its motion control is "messy" hmmmmmmm?

That ever graced consoles. Why they complain and whine other studios are pumping out quality games with motion control. As for the PS3 bashing comment well....... EA has been known to bash the PS3 so that was a cheap shot since the article wasn't really pointing specifically to PS3.

However, EA still a whiner. As more and more companies actual start to jump on the PS3 bandwagon and start learn PS3fu they will become masters.

Let go of the hatred EA. Let the force flow throw you... Anger, Hatred, Fear... This is the path to the Dark side....

EA: How will we know if we have created a High quality Next Gen Game?

When you code at peace, calm..... only then will you know the true path.

My only thing is I wish NFL would not give a Monopoly to EA on football.

I would love to switch to someone else. Madden has gone downhill since 2005. I'm all for a new fresh approach that isn't EA. I want a football game that I can play online over the internet with Next Gen graphics and gameplay. Maybe some innovation in the control area for xbox 360 and PS3 (EA did a o.k. job with the Wii) and some more animations for offense and defense. Take out the crappy career mode. It reminds me of a poor version of Dead or Alive beach volleyball with sucky graphics, ugly people, sim style crud. Full blown Franchise mode is all we need but needs a really good online version. Xbox 360 online mode was a start but it totally needs to be beef up. Would love to see a online mode that allows all 16 characters to be controlled. Be interesting to see if a developer could actually innovate and make all football positions interesting enough to play online.

More importantly EA needs consistency and stop picking sides. The differences between PS3 and Xbox 360 are not great and there shouldn't be much of a difference between them graphically with possibility of PS3 having a slight edge in physics. I believe PS3 is using same open protocols that PCs use so no online mode for PS3 is a cop out.

While EA whines and complain other companies are coming out with beatiful games and they aren't whining. For every great looking fast action multiplayer game that comes out for any console just makes EA look more and more stupid everyday - with or without motion sensor.